Ripley's Believe It or Not! Myrtle Beach

Ripley's Believe It or Not! is the oldest of the Ripley attractions in Myrtle Beach and a piece of the oceanfront's history in its own right: it opened in 1976, marks its 50th year in 2026, and still occupies its spot at 901 North Ocean Boulevard, a block from the boardwalk and a short walk from the SkyWheel. The concept goes back to Robert Ripley's newspaper cartoons of the 1910s and 1920s, in which he collected the world's oddest true stories, and the odditorium turns that collection into galleries you walk through: hundreds of rare artifacts, one-of-a-kind artworks, movie props, optical illusions and hands-on exhibits. The pieces rotate over time, which is part of the appeal for returning visitors; recent displays have included Marilyn Monroe's handprints, a hoverboard, a life-size figure of the world's tallest man and a real shrunken head. It is very much a family attraction, but the best of it works on adults too: the illusions genuinely trick the eye, and the stories behind the objects are the reason the brand has lasted a century. Ripley's runs several neighbors in the same oceanfront block, including a mirror maze and Ripley's Crazy Golf, and sells combination tickets with the aquarium at Broadway at the Beach. Note that the separate Ripley's Haunted Adventure is closed from November 2026 to March 2027; the odditorium is open, with current daily hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Book on the official Ripley's page, which links to tickets and combos.

How long and when: a relaxed visit takes about an hour, a little longer if children stop at every interactive station. It is an ideal add-on to a boardwalk walk, and it is one of the few oceanfront attractions that is as good in the rain as in the sun, so keep it in reserve for a gray afternoon. Off-season visitors often have the galleries almost to themselves, which suits the reading-every-label approach the best stories reward.

Combining tickets: Ripley's sells combo tickets across its Myrtle Beach attractions, including packages that pair the aquarium with several of the oceanfront venues, and they are worth comparing if you plan to do the aquarium anyway. The mirror maze is a quick, giggly add-on next door, and the Crazy Golf course suits families who want one more round of mini golf in the evening. Check which neighbors are open in winter before you buy a bundle, since the Haunted Adventure is closed for the season.

Fit: best for families with children from about six upward and for anyone with a soft spot for roadside Americana. Fifty years on Ocean Boulevard have made it part of the classic Myrtle Beach circuit: boardwalk, SkyWheel, an odditorium, an arcade and an ice cream, in one easy walk.